The biggest problem facing the world is not climate change but inadequate thinking: Edward de Bono.

Edward de Bono's Six Thinking Hats (Feeling, information, Benefits, Judgement, Creativity, and Focus)

The six hats represent six modes of thinking and are directions to think rather than labels for thinking. That is, the hats are used proactively rather than reactively.

Use the Six Thinking Hats to:
Discuss topics
Solve problems
Explore alternatives
Reach decisions
Research, organise and write reports
Brainstorming

The Six Thinking Hats at a glance:

1. White hat thinking identifies the facts and details of a topic

2. Black hat thinking examines the problems associated with a topic
3. Yellow hat thinking focuses on the positive aspects of a topic
4. Red hat thinking looks at a topic from the point of view of emotions and feelings
5. Green hat thinking requires creativeness, imagination and lateral thinking about a topic
6. Blue hat thinking focuses on reflection, metacognition (thinking about the thinking that is required), and the need to understand the big picture

We need knowledge for all these. Without basic knowlegde in specific field we cannot think, argue, understanding the problems and making decision. Those who are able to think logic usually they have very strong basic knowledge. basic knowledge can be obtained through formal learning and experience through their life.

Rethinking Agriculture, a Paradigm Shift: UPMVC

Naib Canselor Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Prof. Datuk Dr. Nik Mustapha R. Abdullah:

1. ”Sektor pertanian perlu mendapat sokongan bidang lain ke arah pemikiran pertanian moden melalui integrasi pertanian dan teknologi pintar seperti bioteknologi, ICT, nanoteknologi dan pengurusan strategik. ”Persepsi pemikiran masyarakat harus diubah kerana kita sering mengaitkan pertanian dengan kerja yang kotor dan untuk golongan miskin, walhal pertanian merupakan kunci kepada segala aktiviti ekonomi yang lain seperti sektor pembuatan dan pengeluaran,”

2. ”UPM memainkan peranan penting dalam proses transformasi pertanian global melalui usaha menerajui bidang pertanian tropika berdasarkan Pelan Transformasi UPM. Semua pelajar UPM dari pelbagai bidang pengajian akan diberi pendedahan kepada pengetahuan umum untuk mencapai anjakan paradigma ke arah pertanian baharu,”

Seperti ungkapan lama Pertanian adalah satu budaya, warisan bangsa, pekerjaan, ekonomi dan kekayaan masyarakat, maka bidang pertanian perlu dipelbagaikan dari semua aspek. Peranan sains asas biologi sangat signifikan dalam memaju kejayaan pertanian moden.

Bayer Young Environmental Envoy Award Le Meridian Kuala Lumpur 25 June 2009

1. Deputy Minister NRE and DVC UPM with the Envoy
   Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Malaysia Officiated the Ceremony
   
   

   
   

Bayer Young Environmental Envoy Programme 20-25 Jun 2009

Prof Ahmad Ismail and Karam Sigh Walia (TV3) Giving Talk on Environmental Reporting

Facilitating the discussion on the environmental issues in Cameron Highlands (Water, River water quality, Drinking water quality, chemicals and solid wastes pollution, climate change and global warming, land and forest clearing, NGOs/Public/Authorities responsibilities, etc. -economy-standard of living, jobs/lack of coordination and communication between government agencies/lack of enforcement by authorities/lack of experts/less environmental priorities/public concern/corruption)

Bayer Young Environmental Envoy Cameron Highlands 20-25 Jun 2009

Prof Ahmad explained to the participants how orchid was polinated by bees or insects

Prof Ahmad (one of the facilitators for the programme) Planting

Pitcher Plants to reduce surface runoff in Bukit Berinchang, Cameron Highlands (one of the highest peak)

Young Envoy planting Pitcher Plants

SWAn Annual General Meeting 20 Jun 2009

Prof Dr. Ahmad Ismail cadangkan agar SWAn (Persatuan Air Selangor, Wilayah Persekutuan dan Putrajaya) mengadakan Kerusi Profesor untuk ditempatkan di universiti-universiti tempatan bagi menggalakkan kajian tentang air. Air adalah keperluan kehidupan. Air bersih penting untuk manusia. Ilmu dan teknologi baharu tentang air sangat diperlukan dalam masa terdekat demi untuk kesejahteraan manusia dan alam sekitar.

FSC2009

Faculty os Science Leading in Fundamental Sciences

Air has elevated cancer risk in 600 neighborhoods

By DINA CAPPIELLO, Associated Press Writer Dina Cappiello, Associated Press Writer – Wed Jun 24, 12:01 am ET
WASHINGTON – Millions of people living in nearly 600 neighborhoods across the country are breathing concentrations of toxic air pollutants that put them at a much greater risk of contracting cancer, according to new data from the Environmental Protection Agency.
The levels of 80 cancer-causing substances released by automobiles, factories and other sources in these areas exceed a 100 in 1 million cancer risk. That means that if 1 million people breathed air with similar concentrations over their lifetime, about 100 additional people would be expected to develop cancer because of their exposure to the pollution.
The average cancer risk across the country is 36 in 1 million, according to the National-Scale Air Toxics Assessment, which will be released by the EPA on Wednesday.
That's a decline from the 41.5 in 1 million cancer risk the EPA found when it released the last analysis in 2006. That data covered 1999 emissions.

Department of Biology Alumni in Korean University

KUE CHIN SIANG
Department of Biotechnology, Korea University, 2009 Ai Nieng Woo
Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, 2009

Kerjasama sains UPM dan Universiti Tokyo

17 Jun 2009 / 23 Jamadil Akhir 1430
Dr. Nik Mustapha R. Abdullah (dua dari kiri) bersalaman dengan Dr. Nobuyuki Miyazaki selepas bertukar-tukar dokumen memorandum persefahaman UPM dan ORI, The University of Tokyo di Kuala Lumpur, baru-baru ini. UNIVERSITI Putra Malaysia (UPM) dan Ocean Research Institute (ORI), The University of Tokyo, Jepun mengadakan penyelidikan bersama dan pertukaran penyelidik dalam bidang kimia, fizik dan biologi. Dekan Fakulti Sains UPM, Prof. Dr. Sidek Ab. Aziz berkata, memorandum persefahaman (MoU) antara UPM dan ORI turut mengadakan syarahan, simposium serta pertukaran maklumat akademik untuk tempoh selama lima tahun. Beliau berkata, persefahaman itu mengukuhkan MoU yang dimeterai antara kedua-dua pihak sejak 10 tahun lalu melalui projek kerjasama yang diketuai oleh Prof. Dr. Ahmad Ismail dari Jabatan Biologi dengan saintis daripada pelbagai organisasi di Jepun. Terdapat dua orang tutor UPM iaitu bekas pelajar Jabatan Biologi yang sedang menjalankan penyelidikan ijazah doktor falsafah (Ph.D) di universiti tersebut. "Walaupun penyelidikan bersama diketuai oleh Prof. Dr. Ahmad Ismail akan diteruskan, penyelidik dari Jabatan Fizik dan Kimia dipelawa untuk bekerjasama dengan saintis di University of Tokyo itu," katanya di Kuala Lumpur, baru-baru ini. MoU itu ditandatangani oleh Naib Canselor UPM, Prof. Datuk Dr. Nik Mustapha R. Abdullah dan Penyelidik ORI, Prof. Dr. Nobuyuki Miyazaki. The University of Tokyo merupakan universiti penyelidikan terulung di Asia ditubuhkan pada tahun 1877. Ia mempunyai 30,000 pelajar yang seimbang jumlahnya antara pelajar pra-siswazah dan siswazah manakala ORI adalah institut penyelidikan kebangsaan yang ditubuhkan pada tahun 1962 di bawah universiti tersebut. Penyelidikan di pusat tersebut tidak terhad kepada perairan Jepun tetapi perairan antarabangsa dengan kerjasama negara luar dan organisasi antarabangsa.

Aktiviti Alumni UPM

More Interesting Things for Biology's Students-Field Trips

Field Works will develop more skills (comunication, emotional, etc - physical and mental) among students. To produce good biologist/ecologists, field works are essential.

Kajian Populasi Ikan Laut di Hadapan Stesen Sains Marin Port Dickson

Bubu-bubu sedang diturunkan untuk kajian populasi ikan kawasan pantai Port Dickson

Jabatan Biologi meneruskan kajian populasi ikan di hadapan Stesen Sains Marin Port Dickson dengan meletakkan bubu-bubu di tempat berkenaan. Kawasan laut berhadapan Stesen Sains Marin Port Dickson mempunyai batu karang, rumput laut dan terumbu buatan yang diletakkan oleh nelayan pantai secara bersendirian dan atas inisiatif sendiri. Kawasan ini juga sangat aktif dengan aktiviti pelancongan dan rekreasi. Kajian populasi ikan ini bukan sahaja menyumbang kepada aktiviti penyelidikan dan pengajaran kursus berkaitan tetapi juga untuk sumber ikan nelayan pantai kecil-kecilan, rekreasi dan pelancongan. Justeru itu aktiviti penyelidikan dan pengajaran ini merupakan aktiviti permulaan dan aktiviti akan datang dicadangkan melibatkan persatuan nelayan tempatan, Majlis Kerajaan Tempatan, Jabatan Perikanan dan lain-lain agensi seperti operator pelancongan. Universiti Putra Malaysia dapat menyumbang kepada "kestabilan ekosistem model" ini jika tumpuan dan sokongan semua pihak dapat diberikan. Sekiranya ini berlaku aktiviti ini akan menjadi model sumbangan Stesen Sains Marin Port Dickson kepada masyarakat setempat dan menjadi ikutan di tempat lain.

River Bank Management of Sungai Linggi

Grey heron is another interesting birds that can be seen during low tide beside other common birds along rivers and estuaries such as white collared king fisher, brahminy kite, pegion, little green heron and others
Egret can be seen along the river bank of Sungai Linggi searching for their food food

If you are lucky you can see crocodile on the river bank, may be waiting for their prey like monkeys and birds. Little green heron and long tailed macaques searching for their food on the river banks during low tide.

River banks like this will change the above scenario and the river's functions just mainly flowing water or discharge them in to the ocean.

River bank management of Sungai Linggi is very important if we want to protect and conserve wildlife and fish products in the river and its estuary. We know that Sungai Linggi now attracted by many groups of people from scientists, school children for their ecological studies and edutourisms), recreation fishing, wildlife observers, local/hobby fisherman and aquaculture. We have crocodiles, monkeys, eagle, herons and others. River bank management is very important and authorities and public must realise that river not just for get rid of excess water from in land to the sea, throwing rubbish and unwanted stuff, transportation but rivers are also important for wildlife, recreation, fishing and environmental aspects in general. Collaboration, understanding and integration in making decision and action among local authorities, state government, Public Work Department, Irrigation and Drainage Department, Department of Environment, etc. are extremely needed. Experts should be invited for their opinion.

Haze

Friday June 12, 2009
Cheras and Port Klang have recorded unhealthy air quality readings of 107 and 138 respectively

Why haze? Just another story. How we tackle the issue compared to H1N1 flu.

Studies on Adaptibility of Released Milky Stork in the Wild

In Malaysia, Milky Stork (Mycteria cinerea) is facing extinction in the wild . Just ten birds were recorded in 2005 at the Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve in Perak. Among the reasons that reduced the number are human disturbance of nesting colonies, mangrove habitat loss, poaching, over predation and probably chemical contamination. In the world Milky Stork's population is estimated about 5,550 individuals and according to BirdLife classifies the species as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. The majority of storks are avaiilable in Indonesia, where about 5,000 in Sumatra and about 400 in west Java. A maximum of 150, perhaps considerably fewer, are shared between Malaysia and Tonle Sap lake, Cambodia.Thus they are in deed globally threatened.

In Zoo Negara, milky stork are successfully bred. Now over 100 birds are breeding in the zoo compond and some in the special cage build for them. Wildlife Department, Zoo Negara and Department of Biology are studying the possibility of releasing this birds to the wild and supporting the population decline in their natural habitat, in this case is Kuala Gula Bird Sunctuary. Professor Ahmad Ismail now leading in studying the adaptibility of the newly released milky stork from Zoo Negara in to wild habitat in Kuala Gula.

UPM AND TOKYO UNIVERSITY INTENSIFY COOPERATION

UPM AND TOKYO UNIVERSITY INTENSIFY COOPERATION

Bernama - Tuesday, May 26
KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 (Bernama) -- Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ocean Research Institute (ORI), University of Tokyo, Japan to forge cooperation in the fields of chemistry, physics and biology, here today.
The Dean of the UPM Science Faculty, Prof Sidek Ab Aziz said the MoU also involved the exchange of researchers and information between the two universities besides organising lectures and symposiums for a five-year period.
"The MoU strengthens the cooperation which had been forged between both institutions for the past 10 years through projects led by Prof Ahmad Ismail from the Biology Department together with scientists from various organisations in Japan," he said in a statement here.
The MoU was signed by UPM Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Nik Mustapha R. Abdullah and ORI Researcher Prof Nobuyuki Miyazaki at the Science Faculty of the UPM, here.
Prof Sidek said currently there were two UPM tutors, who were former students of the UPM's Biology Department, who were doing research for their doctorates in philosophy (PhD) at the University of Tokyo.
The University of Tokyo is one of the leading research universities in Asia which was set up in 1877 and has 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students.
-- BERNAMA

PETROSAINS Citizen Science Workshop 19-20 May2009

Some of the participants from PETROSAINS Citizen Science workshops showing their creativity in explaining some of Science Concepts in simple way using materials collected from the beach near Cherating, Kuantan. Their presentations were observed and commented by Prof Ahmad Ismail as an advisor to the programme.

"Malaysian Science Away Day" at Legend Resort Hotel, Cherating, Kuantan 19th - 20th May

A ) Synopsis of the session:

Program Title : Mangrove Ecosystem, Marine and Coastal Environment Exploration

Session Leader: Professor Dr. Ahmad Ismail of Biology Dept, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra, Malaysia.

Session Summary: The session aims to give participants an outdoor experience in the area of mangrove and coastal marine ecosystem. Another objective is to enrich the content of the on-going My Outdoor Science content and Citizen Science. The session will also include an invited speaker, Professor Dr. Ahmad Ismail who will lend his expertise on water-related issues and his vast array of involvement in community related projects. ProfessorDr. Ahmad Ismail is currently attached with Universiti Putra Malaysia and is the Science Advisor to our Citizen Science Program. This session will include a mangrove river cruise and observing a colony of fireflies. Fireflies or Lightning Bugs belong to the nocturnal luminous beetle family Lampyridae. Within quiet and serene surroundings, these fireflies thrive among the Berembang trees and shine like fire in the night to attract a mate. Such characteristic is an excellent example of biochemiluminesence at work and the session may include stargazing as practical outdoor science sessions in the evening.

b) Schedule of the activity as follows:

Day 1 : Tuesday 19/05/09

2.00 pm - 3.00pm Check in hotel

4.00 pm Tea break 4.15 pm

Session 2 :

"Mangrove Ecosystem, Marine andCoastal Environment Exploration" by Professor Dr. Ahmad Ismail of Biology Dept, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra, Malaysia. 5.00 pm

Session 3 :

Parallel Session 1 : Sky High

Parallel Session 2 : Water-based hands-on activities 6.00 pm

Rest / Dinner 8.00 pm

Session 4: Mangrove Ecosystem Experience 9.00 pm

Practical Star-gazing 10.15 pm

Session 5: I.F.O - Identified FlyingObject 10.45 pm

Session 6 : Egg-Life - the Protection of Marine Turtles in Malaysia

Practical Stargazing 3.00 am

Session conclude

Day 2 Wednesday 20/05/09 8.00 am

Breakfast 8.30 am

Session 7 : COL Jam Session (Research &> Development) 10.00 am

Break 10.15 am

Session 8 : COL Jam Session (Presentation) 11.00 am

Reflections 12 noon

Closure & Lunch & Check out

Wildlife and Human Conflict or ??

Hornbills (Anthracoceros albirostris convexus) can be seen easily in Tanjung Karang and surrounding areas. Sungai Karang Reserve Forest is one of the important hornbills habitat. Now this species living together with human being in Parit 13 near Sungai Panjang area. Some say they are pest during fruits season and some say they are attractive animals and have values for tourism. What we can do? Department of Biology try to help Wildlife Department and Public in the areas to solve this conflict and promote ecotourism and conservation.

Alumni Conference for Excellence 2009

Prof Ahmad Ismail bersama Presiden dan Exco Persatuan Alumni UPM

Persatuan Alumni UPM dan Pusat Alumni UPM telah mengadakan Bengkel Prekonferens bagi membincangkan penjenamaan semula Alumni UPM, Pengurusan Pusat Alumni dan Pengaktifan Ahli Alumni. UPM telah lama terkenal mendominasi berbagai bidang seperti pertanian, perhutanan, veterinar, pengembangan pertanian dan pendidikan. Secara amnya graduan UPM unggul dalam bidang berkenaan di Malaysia. Sebagai Alumni UPM semestinya menerajui pelbagai aspek kecemerlangan dalam kerjaya masing-masing. UPM pula mesti terus menyediakan prasarana yang mesra dan menanamkan semangat sayangkan UPM dan mengenang jasanya. Alumni seharusnya bangga dengan UPM yang terus unggul dalam menghasilkan graduan yang mampu berdaya saing di persada dunia.

International Conference on Marine Ecosystem 2009

Professor Ahmad Ismail Chairing the Forum at INCOMES 2009 Langkawi

Prof Ahmad Ismail moderator for penal discussion on the

"Transboundary approach in Sustainable and Integrated Marine Resources Management"

28 May 2009 at Awana Porto Malai, Pulangkawi, Malaysia.

From left Prof Ahmad (UPM), Prof Peter Liss (UEA, UK), Prof McMinn (HOBART), Prof Andrew (UEA, UK) and Prof Miyazaki (ORI, The Tokyo University)

Penalists with the committee members

Malaysia is a maritime country. Globalisation of knowledge on marine science is necessary. Young scientists must pick up this idea and agressively move forward for better marine ecosystems in the future. Issues of global warming, climate change, biodiversity, economy, health, food and culture should be discussed along the marine ecosystems.